Obama and Romney face off in first debate

The numbers are in. A new poll conducted by the Pew Research Center showed that Governor Romney is four points ahead of President Obama after Wednesday’s debate. Both candidates put forward their domestic policy ideas in their first debate on Oct. 3 at the University of Denver.

“The strangest thing about this election is that there aren’t that many undecided voters left,” said Salaina Catalno, Rochester Hills junior and College Democrats president. “This debate is supposed to highlight the platforms to appeal to voters. They’re watching it to confirm their own beliefs, not necessarily to make a decision.”

The Ford Institute hosted a debate-watch party on Wednesday. About 74 politically-diverse students watched the debate together.

“Students participated from a number of backgrounds, not just the Dems and Conservative groups,” said Dr. Al Pheley, director of the Gerald R. Ford institute for leadership in public policy and service. “There were students who consider themselves libertarian, independent and other ideologies. We encourage this getting together to share the program, rather than watching in isolation or with people from similar belief backgrounds.”

Tyler Howard, Plymouth first-year, does not associate himself with the Republican party, but he does identify with conservative ideas.

“Although I’m a Conservative, I think Obama will win,” Howard said. “His public speaking skills put him way ahead of Romney due to the fact that he knows what to tell the country and how to do it. Whether his ‘promises’ are kept is another story.”

This campaign has been tainted with false accusations from both candidates. Catalano is frustrated with some of Governor Romney’s comments.

“[Romney says] this country is worse off when Obama took office, but that’s subjective,” Catalano said. “You need to look at it from the average American. The economy has increased for the average American.”

Howard thinks President Obama and Governor Romney need to focus on the country’s problems, not attacking one another.

“I believe Romney is making a fair case, although neither candidate seems to be focusing on the issues,” Howard said. “They seem to be intent on making the other look bad before giving their thoughts on the state of the government.”

Even though Catalano supports President Obama, she does see certain positive ideas in Governor Romney’s policy.

“I don’t necessarily agree on certain issues, but I don’t think it’s a bad argument to say that this nation was founded to escape a big, centralized, tyrannical government,” Catalano said. “I think he’s wrong in accusing this government in being that, but I don’t think it’s wrong to hold the government accountable for its actions.”

Nick is a junior from Rochester, Mich., majoring in French and minoring in cell and molecular biology. He has interests in serving Doctors Without Borders and in writing medical journalism. Follow him on Twitter @docteur_diamond.